Autism and Special Interests: What They Are and How to Nurture Them
In short: Special interests are intense, focused passions common in autistic individuals. They can be a source of joy, skill-building, and even career paths. ABA therapy can help use these interests as motivators while teaching flexibility.
Key takeaways
- Special interests are not just hobbies; they are deeply meaningful to autistic individuals.
- These interests can be leveraged as powerful motivators in learning and therapy.
- With careful support, special interests can lead to skill development, social connections, and future careers.
- ABA therapy can help balance engagement with special interests and other life skills.
What Are Special Interests in Autism?
Special interests, sometimes called intense interests or passionate interests, are a core characteristic of autism. They are not merely hobbies or casual pursuits. For an autistic person, a special interest is a deeply engaging topic, activity, or object that they may think about, talk about, or engage with for many hours a day. These interests can be anything from dinosaurs, trains, or space exploration to a specific TV show, video game, or historical period. What makes them special is the intensity and the joy they bring.
Special interests often emerge in early childhood and can change over time. They are different from the focused interests typical of neurotypical individuals because they are more consuming and can be central to the person's identity. Understanding this difference is key for parents, educators, and therapists.
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Why Special Interests Matter
The Positive Aspects
Special interests are a strength. They can provide a sense of calm, order, and happiness. Many autistic individuals use their special interests to self-regulate during stressful times. These passions can also lead to deep expertise, sometimes rivaling that of professionals. For example, a child who loves trains might know every model, route, and historical fact.
Special interests can also build skills. Research shows that when special interests are incorporated into learning, autistic children show improved engagement, focus, and academic performance. They can also be a pathway to social connections. Online forums, clubs, and events centered around a shared interest can help autistic individuals make friends on their own terms.
Potential Challenges
While special interests are positive, they can sometimes pose challenges. A child might talk about their interest constantly, to the point of not noticing others' disinterest. They may resist transitioning away from their interest for other activities like chores, homework, or social events. In some cases, the interest might be less socially acceptable, like a fascination with vacuum cleaners or traffic lights. This is where gentle guidance and ABA therapy can help.
It is important not to discourage a special interest outright. Instead, parents and therapists can work on teaching flexibility, turn-taking in conversations, and expanding the child's repertoire of activities while still honoring the passion.
How to Support Your Child's Special Interests
Embrace and Validate
The first step is to show genuine interest. Ask questions, listen, and learn from your child. Let them share their knowledge. This validates their passion and strengthens your relationship.
- Ask open-ended questions like 'What is the most interesting thing about your topic today?'
- Create a space for their interest, such as a shelf for collections or a dedicated time to explore online.
- Use their interest as a reward: after homework is done, they can have 20 minutes to research their topic.
Use Interests as Learning Tools
Many academic skills can be taught through special interests. If a child loves dinosaurs, use dinosaur books for reading practice. Count dinosaur toys for math. Write stories about dinosaur adventures. This approach is known as 'interest-based learning' and is highly effective.
Set Gentle Boundaries
It is okay to set limits. Use visual schedules or timers to help with transitions. For example, 'First we do math, then you can look at your space book for 15 minutes.' Over time, with consistency, many children learn to shift focus more easily.
Avoid abrupt endings. Instead, give warnings: 'In five minutes it will be time to stop reading about trains.' This reduces anxiety and meltdowns.
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The Role of ABA Therapy in Supporting Special Interests
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), is a well-researched approach that can help autistic individuals build skills while respecting their interests. A skilled BCBA will not try to eliminate special interests. Instead, they will use them as reinforcers, integrating them into therapy sessions.
For example, if a child's special interest is maps, the therapist might create activities that involve map-reading, geography questions, or following routes as part of a behavior plan. This makes learning fun and motivating. The therapist can also work on communication skills around the interest, such as how to ask for information about maps appropriately.
ABA can also address challenges. If a child is having difficulty transitioning away from their interest, the BCBA can design a program to gradually increase tolerance for breaks. This might involve starting with a very short break (30 seconds) and building up over time.
Because ABA is evidence-based, many insurance plans and Medicaid cover these services. The cost of ABA therapy varies depending on location and provider, but with coverage, families often pay little to nothing out-of-pocket. Our free matching service, Get Started with ABA, can help you find vetted BCBA-led providers in your area who will work with your child's unique interests.
Common Mistakes Parents Make (and How to Avoid Them)
- Forbidding the interest. This can lead to secrecy, loss of trust, and increased anxiety. Instead, redirect or set limits.
- Ignoring the interest. Not acknowledging your child's passion can make them feel unheard. Show curiosity.
- Forcing social situations that involve the interest. Let your child share their interest at their own pace. Do not force them to 'perform' for others.
- Overusing the interest as a reward. While it is effective, ensure the child also gains access to the interest without performance demands sometimes.
- Expecting the interest to disappear. Special interests often persist throughout life. They are part of who your child is.
Special Interests Across the Lifespan
Special interests are not just for childhood. Many autistic adults have lifelong passions that become careers or serious hobbies. Among famous autistic individuals, special interests have led to expertise in fields like computer science, engineering, art, and animal behavior. Parents can support their child's long-term development by helping them channel their interest into marketable skills without crushing the joy.
For example, if a teenager's intense interest is coding, encourage them to learn programming languages, join robotics clubs, or take online courses. If the interest is trains, they might volunteer at a museum or become a rail enthusiast with a camera. The key is to offer pathways while allowing the interest to remain a source of happiness.
Finding the Right Support: How Get Started with ABA Can Help
If you feel you need professional guidance to help your child balance their special interests with daily life, you are not alone. Get Started with ABA is a free service that connects families with vetted, BCBA-led ABA therapy providers. We do not provide therapy ourselves, but we understand the landscape. Our referral partners are trained to respect and leverage special interests in their work.
We also help with insurance and Medicaid questions. Most ABA providers we work with accept a wide range of insurance plans, and we can help you navigate coverage. Simply fill out a short form on our website, and we will match you with providers in your area who have availability. These providers can assess your child's unique interests and design a program that builds on their strengths.
Remember, special interests are not a problem to be fixed. They are a window into your child's world. With the right support, they can become a foundation for learning, growth, and a fulfilling life.